Minnesota Vikings sign former Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to one-year deal

The Minnesota Vikings signed former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray to a one-year contract, a move confirmed by multiple outlets and announced Thursday.

RealGM reported that "The Minnesota Vikings have signed former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray to a one-year contract, the team announced Thursday."

ESPN

ESPN likewise stated "The Minnesota Vikings agreed Thursday on a one-year contract with quarterback Kyler Murray, the team confirmed."

KTTC summarized the signing, writing that "The Minnesota Vikings are signing former Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to a one-year deal, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter."

Financial details reported by multiple outlets show Arizona remains responsible for the vast majority of Murray’s 2026 salary while Minnesota takes on a small portion and limited contractual restrictions.

RealGM reported that "The Vikings will pay $1.3 million of the $36.8 million already guaranteed to Murray via his Arizona contract, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter."

ESPN Argentina

ESPN wrote that "Minnesota will pay $1.3 million of Murray's $36.8 million salary for 2026."

KTTC also noted that "Schefter notes that Murray is already owed $36.8 million from Arizona, and that the Vikings are only on the hook for the veteran league minimum in the new deal."

The signing immediately creates a competition in Minnesota’s quarterback room between Murray and 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

“Kyler Murray signs 1-year deal with the Vikings MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray on Thursday, after focusing their latest search on the first overall pick from the 2019 NFL draft who was just released by the Arizona Cardinals”

KSTP-TV

RealGM said "Murray joins a quarterback room that includes 2024 tenth overall pick J.J. McCarthy, creating an immediate competition for the starting role."

KTTC echoed that Murray "will be joining a QB room that already includes J.J. McCarthy."

KVRR similarly reported that "Former Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kyler Murray is signing a one-year deal with the Vikings, theteam confirmedThursday," and noted Murray "selected first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft" which frames the experience gap between the quarterbacks.

Murray’s on-field résumé and recent injury history were widely noted: outlets highlighted both his dual‑threat accomplishments and the injuries that limited his final Arizona seasons.

RealGM described Murray as 28 and said he "brings proven dual-threat ability to Minnesota," adding he is "one of five players in NFL history alongside Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson and Cam Newton to throw for more than 20,000 yards and rush for more than 3,000 in their first seven seasons."

KTTC

RealGM also reported that "Injuries plagued Murray's final years in Arizona, where he appeared in just five games last season before a foot injury ended his Cardinals tenure."

ESPN and KTTC referenced his 2019 No. 1 overall selection as part of that career context, with ESPN noting his career "started in 2019 when the Cardinals made him the No. 1 pick of the draft" and KTTC writing "Murray was, notably, the first-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft."

Coverage also framed the signing as a strategic roster move by Minnesota to upgrade quarterback play while preserving future roster flexibility.

“PHOTO/AP EAGAN, Minn”

KVRR

RealGM reported that Minnesota "had identified Murray as a top priority weeks before his Wednesday release became official, also pursuing Geno Smith before the Las Vegas Raiders traded him to the New York Jets," and noted "Coach Kevin O'Connell has stopped short of naming McCarthy his 2026 starter this offseason."

KVRR

ESPN observed that in Minnesota "Murray will have arguably the best supporting cast of his NFL career," and KTTC emphasized the move creates depth behind McCarthy.

Together those accounts portray the signing as both a short-term upgrade and a low-cost way for the Vikings to evaluate options at the position.